Click on the category to learn more about the era of the Great Gatsby.....

Characters:

Jay Gatsby: Engaged in criminal activities to rise from humble beginnings to great fortune in order to win back the love of Daisy Buchanan whom he met while penniless and training to become an officer. Although Daisy promised to wait for Gatsby until after the war she was too attracted to wealth and power to turn down wealthy Tom Buchanan’s marriage proposal . After the war, Gatsby moves to West Egg to be close to Daisy and accumulate enough money to win her back.

Daisy Buchanan: Fell in love with Gatsby during the war but married Tom Buchanan for his wealth and power. Daisy loves living the life of a pampered socialite and turns a blind eye to Tom’s repeated infidelities.

Nick Carraway: Narrates The Great Gatsby. Nick is Daisy’s cousin from Minnesota who moves to “new money” fueled west egg after the war. Nick soon befriends his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby and it is through Nick’s voice that the drama of The Great Gatsby unfolds.

Tom Buchanan: Daisy’s husband. A very athletic, arrogant man, who is racist, chauvinistic, and unfaithful to Daisy. Sees nothing wrong with having an extramarital affair with Myrtle, though becomes enraged when he suspects that Daisy has been unfaithful.

Jordan Baker: Confident and tomboyish, Jordan epitomizes the 1920’s flapper. She and Nick become romantically involved until her cold and dishonest nature shines through.

Myrtle Wilson: Married to a poor, ambitionless mechanic, Myrtle hopes having an affair with Tom will improve her social standing and sense of self worth.